Pages

Friday, November 28, 2008

HCJB Global Transmitter Installed at TWR's Site in SwazilandNov. 25, 2008A new 100,000-watt shortwave transmitter built at the HCJB Global Technology Center in Elkhart, Ind., is on the air at the Trans World Radio (TWR) site in Swaziland, broadcasting a message of hope across Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

Through a cooperative effort between the two organizations, the HC100 transmitter began broadcasting about 12 hours a day on Oct. 23, replacing an outdated Continental unit and joining two other HC100s, also from Elkhart. "The results of the broadcasts from this transmitter are that people come to Christ and they are encouraged in their faith," said Ray Alary, TWR's director of operations in Africa. "For those with HIV/AIDS, we can encourage them in what seems a hopeless situation. Through Jesus we all have hope. The primary target areas are eastern and southern Africa, but our transmitters in Swaziland reach locations as far away as Pakistan. We broadcast in approximately 30 languages with our three HC100 transmitters."

Alary added that TWR's partnership with HCJB Global "goes back a long way and has taken many different forms over the years . . . it is a model of a well-functioning partnership where each party gains from our ability to work together." The artnership includes having a number of TWR missionaries serving at the Technology Center in Elkhart. Among those is veteran engineer Larry McGuire who lived in Swaziland for 16 years before moving to Elkhart in 1990. He helped build and install all three HC100s at the Swaziland site, spending 2½ weeks in Swaziland in October to put the new transmitter on the air. "The new transmitter is much more efficient and has a clearer, more understandable signal than the one it replaced," McGuire said. "The HC100 is also easier to maintain because it was designed by missionary engineers for that purpose."

Alary said that having "three identical transmitters at the same site makes our operation in Swaziland very efficient. In addition, we have purchased more than 20 suitcase transmitters through HCJB." Tom Lowell, chairman of TWR's board of irectors, said the new transmitter has many economic advantages. "For example, parts needed to keep the old equipment on the air were expensive. The Continental transmitter uses three large tubes, at $13,000 each, compared to the HC100's single tube. That's an immediate savings of $26,000 on parts alone! The HC100 also operates much more efficiently, saving us $12,000 per year on our electric bill in Swaziland."

McGuire added that the installation of the HC100 in Swaziland culminates years of work and planning dating back to about 2000. Construction of this transmitter, the ninth of its type, was completed in 2005. After TWR agreed to purchase the unit, it was modified to, and tested for, Swaziland requirements, then packed and loaded onto a truck in Elkhart on July 31. It then traveled across the Atlantic Ocean by ship, arriving in Durban, South Africa, on Sept. 9.

From there it went by train to Matsapha, Swaziland, where it cleared customs "almost immediately," he said. Finally it went by truck to TWR's transmitter site on a ranch 20 miles from Manzini along the White Mbuluzi River, arriving on Sept. 18."The day it arrived, there 'happened' to be a work crew from a church in Elkhart that had been renovating the building," McGuire continued. "They were way ahead of schedule, so they helped unload the transmitter from the container, got it in position and started putting up the heavy parts and then built the fascia-all before

I started working on the installation on Oct. 6. I was very amazed. That's never happened before!" When McGuire said the entire installation process went moothly. "The cooperation was great-very beneficial for both." David Russell, director of the HCJB Global Technology Center, calls it a "privilege to work closely with engineers of TWR Africa. During just the past year we have cooperated with TWR on projects in Benin, Kenya and Swaziland. We are presently refurbishing a used 50,000-watt AM transmitter that will be used at TWR's Swaziland broadcast facilities."It gives us a great sense of fulfillment to be able to support our fellow kingdom workers at TWR through the provision of technical consulting, equipment, installations and maintenance," Russell added. "By pooling our strengths we are able to be more effective in the Lord's harvest fields." (Press Release)(Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India)

Radio Damascus on-demand audioRadio Damascus, English program is now also on the internet. After a few weeks of having the daily German language program online it is great to know that from this week on you can also download the daily recording of the English program.The direct link to the daily recordings is :http://www.rtv.gov.sy/index.php?m=541Soon there will also be a link on the homepage of Syrian Radio & Television, http://www.rtv.gov.sy/ , to the international foreign language services of Radio Damascus.Kris Janssen, Belgium)

WRNO audio linkHere you can find my last audioclip of WRNO http://www.hb9gce.ch/WRNO_20081128_0405_7505.mp373 de HB9GCE, Andy/plyadx2003)

via Ascension Island relay, 11875 NF, Cotton Tree News, 0730-0800*, Nov 28, opening “CTN” ID announcements at 0730 and English news. IDs as “C-T-N". Talk about local election during entire broadcast. They usually go into vernacular talk around 0740 but tonight they were entirely in English. Abrupt sign off. Weak but readable at 0730 but improved to a fair level by 0736. (B. Alexander, PA)

Egypt6289.73, Egyptian Radio, 0003-0019, Initially noted a female in Arabic(?) comments between North African type music. She is joined later by a male. Signal was fair. (C. Bolland, November 27, 2008)

15190, R. Africa, 1715-1804, Nov 26 (Wed.); in English, raspy voiced African-American preacher, no program or station ID at end of his program; BoH "Call to Worship", listeners asked to write to Zion Chapel, 937 Royce Avenue, Holland, Michigan, their website lists this as "Radio West Africa" (?) Signal fair till about 1750, when R. Philipinas began to quickly fade in.(R. Howard,CA)

Indonesia9525.90, Voice of Indonesia, *1001-1010, Nov 28, open carrier starting at 0948. Sign on at 1001 with Indonesian ID announcement. Into English programming at 1002. Weak. Poor in noisy conditions. Too much noise to pull out any program details.(B. Alexander, PA)

9525.90, Voice of Indonesia, 1005-1015+, Nov 27, tune-in to English news. ID at 1009. Talk about banking system in Indonesia. IDs at 1014. Fair. Only a threshold signal at 1325 check. Reception here on the east coast is usually best at 1000 with onlya weak signal at 1300. (B. Alexander, PA)

Mali5995, RTVM, *0555-0640, Nov 28, sign on with guitar interval signal. National Anthem at 0558. Flute IS along with opening French ID announcements at 0559. Religious recitations at 0602. Vernacular talk. More religious recitations at 0631. Local Afro-pop music & talk at 0638. Fair signal. (B. Alexander, PA)

Moldova6240, Radio DMR, 2324-2345 Tuned in with a program in English with a male in news and comments. At 2327 English closed down with ID, Address and URL. This was followed with a segment in the French language. Signal was good. (C. Bolland, November 26, 2008)

Russia6075, Radio Rossii, Kamchatka,1150-1205 Noted two males in Russian language conversation. ID given at 1159 as, (Radio Rossii, ...). On the hour, news given. Signal not yet faded in enough for reasonable listening; but at a poor level, there's no QRM to cause problems.(C. Bolland, FL November 27, 2008)

Rwanda6055, Radio Rwanda, 2053-2100*, Nov 27, Afro-pop music. English talk with personal messages from listeners. Sign off with short electronic instrumental piece. Fair to poor with co-channel QRM. English listed for Thursday only at 2000-2045 according to WRTH. (Brian Alexander, PA)Contributors:Brian Alexander, PAChuck Bolland, FLRon Howard, CA

The leader of the Tamil Tigers has said Sri Lanka is “living in a dreamland of military victory”, moments after government jets for a second year running destroyed a rebel radio station broadcasting his annual address. Even with a Sri Lankan military offensive besieging the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) self-declared capital, leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran remained defiant in his yearly rallying cry.“The Sinhala state has, as never before, placed its trust on its military strength,” he said, referring to Sri Lanka’s government. “It is living in a dreamland of military victory. It is a dream from which it will awake. That is certain.” Prabhakaran’s speech, usually recorded beforehand at one of his jungle hideouts, went out worldwide on the Internet despite the air raid.Air force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said the strike completely destroyed a radio station close to Kilinochchi, the northern town the LTTE has declared as capital of the separate state it wants to create and calls Tamil Eelam.(Source: Reuters/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Welcome to our weekly guide to Radio Netherlands Worldwide's English Service - a list of the new programmes coming up on Radio Netherlands Worldwide this week, beginning on Saturday.

SATURDAY 29 November*** The State We're In ***

We focus on the right to life and security during the Gaza blockade. We meet Palestinian fisherman who can't make a living because of Israeli security restrictions, and an Israeli woman whose home has been hit three times by Hamas' rockets.

Then, we look at education in the Arab world, and ask why millions of children are being denied the right to learn, and why the Arab world has fallen so far behind. And, we meet a woman in the US who decided to make her neighbourhood public school a place parents wanted to send their kids.

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe. If you missed any editions of Network Europe Week satisfy your needs with this digest of the programme's top stories.

It's a radio show, it's a website, it's a lifestyle. It's Curious Orange -30 minutes of Dutchness on Radio Netherlands Worldwide

We'll hear about scientology in the Netherlands - whether it'll take hold... or be banned. And, with the government reviewing and re-evaluating euthanasia legislation, we hear a doctor's perspective on the right to die.

Of course, Perro de Jong will be in. He'll turn his "Critical Eye" to a 104-year-old Dutch singer who's not exactly being welcomed back to his home town in Holland. And we'll hear a "dodelijk" listener Lost in Translation story. To lighten things up, we'll feature music from Voicst - a Dutch indy band with an international following.

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:0400 Africa, Asia0500 North America2200 Asia

*** The State We're In - Midweek Edition ***

We focus on the right to life and security during the Gaza blockade. We meet Palestinian fisherman who can't make a living because of Israeli security restrictions, and an Israeli woman whose home has been hit three times by Hamas' rockets.

Then, we look at education in the Arab world, and ask why millions of children are being denied the right to learn, and why the Arab world has fallen so far behind.

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:0400 Africa, Asia0500 North America2200 Asia

*** Radio Books ***

'The Creation' - by Clark Accord

This season, Radio Books highlights work from the diverse immigrant community of the Netherlands and Belgium. Clark Accord was born in Paramaribo, Surinam. He moved to the Netherlands when he was 17. His 1999 debut novel "The Queen of Paramaribo" has sold over 100,000 copies.

For Radio Books, Clark Accord has written a poetic story about a homeless man living in an Amsterdam park who dreams of his beautiful homeland: Surinam.

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:0400 Africa, Asia0500 North America2200 Asia

*** Earthbeat ***

We take a look at micro-insurance. When disaster strike in developing countries, this localised version of insurance can offer protection to the most vulnerable in society. But when you live on the bread, is it worth spending money on a hypothetical risk?

It's 13 mins 24 secs, and is at http://airm.edxp.org/The site allows you to listen to the ADXR and other audio features directly(streaming audio) via your MP3 player, or via the site's embedded mini-player.

Podcasts, iTunes capability, full RSS/XML/Atom feeds, and freesubscriptions are supported - full details are at the site.There have been nearly 7000 downloads since July 1, 2008, which reflects the popularity of the service.Good listening to the Australian DX Report Episode No. 127!(Source: Bob Padula, Melbourne, Australia/Cumbre DX)

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity17 - 23 November 2008Solar activity was very low through the period. No flares were observed. The visible disk was spotless.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal levels.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels during the period. ACE solar wind measurements indicated no significant disturbances during the period. Solar wind velocities ranged from 259 to 457 km/sec during the period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity26 November - 22 December 2008

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels during 26 November - 03 December and 06 - 12 December.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at mostly unsettled levels during 26 - 27 November due to a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS). Quiet levels are expected during 28 November - 03 December followed by an increase to unsettled toactive levels during 04 - 06 December due to a recurrent CH HSS. Activity is expected to decrease to quiet levels during 07 - 21 December. Activity is expected to increase to unsettled levels on 22 December due to another recurrent CH HSS.

Media Network contributor Christopher Lewis reported this morning “0858 UTC. I am currently listening to BBC and Deutsche Welle Test (the text as appeared on the display) on 9610 kHz DRM. I am not sure where the transmission is being relayed from, but signal is steady, with stereo audio. Programming is featuring reports about the environment, agriculture, sciences etc. Test continues at 0900 on 9610 khz, opening with a bulletin of DW news in English.”In fact, the transmission on 9610 was from Sines, Portugal. In the DRM Sofware Radio Forums, the complete schedule is given for the tests which will continue at 0500-2300 UTC today, tomorrow and Thursday. There are also tests scheduled on mediumwave 1296 kHz at 0500-0700 and 1700-2300 UTC. Visit http://www.drmrx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2033

for the full schedule.

Related story:BBC World Service and Deutsche Welle have announced plans to launch a joint radio service to Europe on DRM shortwave. The new stream, which will be entirely in English, is expected to go live in early 2009. It will be available from early morning till late at night targeting Western and Central Europe and a potential audience of 170 million listeners with global news and current affairs and a rich mix of in-depth analysis, documentaries and cultural programs. The service will provide a multimedia offer of audio and text, the latter coming automatically from the BBC News website.Erik Bettermann, Director General at Deutsche Welle, said: “It is great that two of the world’s most established broadcasters can work together on a project of this scale. This is an exciting venture that will offer European listeners top class content and provides the perfect opportunity to reintroduce listeners to DRM.”(Source: DRM Consortium)(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Thanks to Ron Howard for sending in the following logging contributions.Gayle Van Horn

All times UTCRussiaChecking for Radio Rossii parallels, 0108-0118, Nov 24:5935 (poor under QRM), 7140 (poor), 7200 (very good), 7320 (fair),7345 (poor with QRM). Surprised to hear them doing so well this early. Too much QRM to hear 6075 at this time, but heard them at 0140.

6075, Radio Rossii Kamchatka (presumed ID) via Petropavlovsk-Kamchatka, checked again and found them well on top of the QRM, 0140-0200, Nov 24; surprised to find another time besides 0810-0900 that broadcasts their local programming (probably on from 0110-0200); many mentions of Kamchatka; gives phone numbers; at 0143: "This is Kamchatka"; Russian ballads and pop songs; 0200 strong DW sign-on; at 0200 clearly heard just the "Programa Radio Rossii" ID after the pips, was fair till 0200.

6085, Radio Rossii via Krasnoyarsk, at 0205, Nov 24, noted parallel to 5935 (poor-fair under QRM), 6075 (poor mixing with DW), 6140 (poor), 7200 (fair with QRM), 7320 (fair), 7345 (fair). Quick check at 0241 found them not in parallel with the other Radio Rossii stations (and of course not parallel to GTRK Magadan either), so assume this could be their local/regional programming, but needs more monitoring to know just what it is. Must be from 0210-0300.

7320, GTRK Magadan, 0224-0300, Nov 24; local/regional programming (assume from 0210-0300); BoH jingle and ID (could not make it out, but clearly no mention of "Rossii"); per helpful input from Mauno Ritola who listened to my audio clip, they gave telephone numbers and address to Magadan and Magadan oblast weather so clearly this was a local/regional program; folk song; fair-poor; parallel to 5935 (poor under QRM), after 0300 went back to "Programa Radio Rossii" IDs (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Sri Lanka6045, IBC Tamil (tentative), 0007-0043, Nov 24, was checking for Mexico and heard this. English commentary about UN and cease fire, 0015 into assume Tamil, some pop music, seemed to sign-off around 0100, poor with a het (Mexico QRM?), first time I have ever noted them here (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Tibet6200, "Holy Tibet" program via Xizang PBS - Lhasa, 1630- 1700, Nov 24, all in English, " ... will learn more about Tibet: the people and the culture, on Holy Tibet", talking about the money the government puts into Tibet to help it develop, mostly plays indigenous Tibetan music and chanting/singing, woman describes in detail the various features of the Potala Palace (White Palace, etc.), "Don't miss visiting the Potala Palace", says something like: "Holy Tibet is the window to the world for Tibet" (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Dead Cat Radio6925USB 1727-1810* SIO=444. A program of oldies rock including Run Around Sue, Del Shannon's Runaway, We Want the Airwaves, Spirit's Animal Zoo, Simon and Garfunkel's At the Zoo. No IDs until close, when a cat meow was followed by a clear male/female ID. No address announced. (Zeller-OH)

Dot Com Radio6925USB 1711-1715* SIO=242. I list this as tentative, since the only ID was at QRT, and I had fair copy on the ID. Confusing prgm of Commander Bunny rants about the Monkey Boys. Odd sounds and other material mixed into this short and confusing bcst. (Zeller-OH)

KIPM Illuminati Prima Materia6925USB, 1820-1849:15.* Alan Maxwell's Voyage of the Illuminati. Alan explained how he gets into our receivers and the origin of WHYP transmissions among other illuminating things.gave obsolete Elkorn NE drop. About a minute of howling after KIPM program ended. SIO=2+53+ with considerable QSB. (Frodge-MI)

MAC Shortwavemacshortwave@yahoo.com11/8, 1720-1737, 6950/AM; Ultra Man Radio via MAC Shrotwave. SIO 433. Young male announcer playing oldies and cutting up on the air. Played Eve of Destruction and Red Rubber Ball. (Coatsworth at Brighton MI)

Old Turkey Radio6925USB 1825-1907. SIO=343/242. Return of the old-timer announcer with the gruff vox who plays Thanksgiving comedy and novelty material. Lengthy program also included some rock music, recorded remarks by Jay Smilkstein, old DJ banter and comedy material from WMAQ in Chicago and WGAR in Cleveland. Plenty of Thanksgiving novelty material, including the I Love Butterball parody of the rock tune I Love Rock and Roll." Political argument among the Pilgrims about whether the Indians would win the election if they let them vote, to segment about turkey hunting, a segment blaming Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years for the reason that Americans are too fat, and plenty of gobbling turkey noises. Gave oldturkeyradio@yahoo.com for reception reports, but, a report to that address bounced. (Zeller-OH)

Possum Hunting Radio6925USB. From 2033 tune in to 2055 sign off. ID as "This is Possum Hunting Radio, do you understand?" Repeated that "you don't want to come out here and get lost," and mentioned that his brother just got back from the road. ID at 2055 and then announced he was going to have a Halloween Party with his brother and mama. Ended with motorcycle sounds. SIO=354.(Insinger, NJ)

Purple Nucleus of Creation6925USB. 2058 to 2130. Relay of an old show via another station, since they mentioned the Elkhorn mail drop. ID'd as "You are listening to the sounds of Purple Nucleus of Creation, your ethereal nucleus station." Excellent blend of new age style music! SIO=353. (Insinger, NJ)

Radio Jamba InternationalP.O. Box 1, Belfast NY 147110028-0047(faded), 6925/USB. The signal was initially good/fair and then faded. Played a song about having a frontal lobotomy Followed by a discussion from male announcer of a world with heroin legal and coffee is illegal. (Majewski CT)

Radio Outhouse6925U, 10/23 0154, Old-time radio news, with info about the Rosenburg spy. Was getting modem noise, so I'm not sure if it was just during the trial or if the verdict had been given. ID at the end. I listened to the audio clip a few times, so I think it's right. Is there any contact info for Radio Outhouse? (Yoder,PA)

6925USB *0048-0111* SIO=131. Poor signal with a program of country tunes, including two renditions of the old Convoy CB song. One of the tunes was about Santa Claus going to Arizona. Fortunately two clear males IDs at 0101 and 0102 during a peak. No address copied. (Zeller-OH)

The Dark Side6925USB *0050-0101* Sign-on with Wichita Lineman and then into an ancient 1930's pop tune by orchestra. Also had a mellow tune by OM singer. ID by young male came only at QRT. No address announced. (Zeller-OH)

Toynbee Radio6925USB. 2205-2207. Typical phrases broadcast, with ID at end. The signal ranged from fair to good. "...will look good in the newspaper...Toynbee Radio" "only by the destruction of the media can this movement survive...you of the American media... Toynbee Radio." "you shall exist in the afterlife in the Jupitarian atmosphere...will live the afterlife in Jupiter. Toynbee Raido" (Yoder,PA)

Undercover RadioUndercoverRadio6925USB, 0135. Poor signal just above noise floor but no static, Dr. Benway talks of trip to south Pacific islands, talk of being stung by cone(?), ominous music, song Monster Mash. (Hassig-IL)

WBNYP.O. Box 1, Belfast NY 14711 rodentrevolutionhq@yahoo.com)*2208-2212* 6925USB. SIO=242. Last minute plea by Commander Bunny for votes on election day. Vote Commander Bunny repeated more than a dozen times. Also said, It's election day. Bunny- Kracker will save the world. Did not actually give a WBNY ID, but it was obvious given the content of the pgm. No addr ancd. The advertising did not work, since the Bunny-Kracker ticket did not carry a single state in the election. (Zeller-OH)

We Monkey Radio6625USB 2121-2126 Good signal with short songs. Played a parody song, Cat in Kettle (based on Cat in the cradle) and rock tune. All were cut short. The announcer said they kept the songs short for the monkeys. (Majewski CT)

WNKRWNKR Relay, 6925USB 2240-2306+ SIO=242. Given the signal level, this clearly was a North American relay of Andy Walker's Europirate. Prgm of rock oldies and classic rock with station jingle IDs. (Zeller-OH)

WPON0103-0148+, 6925USB. Good signal, one of the better ones recently. A show about money. A rap song, followed by Steve Miller Band, Take the Money and Run, followed by then Money Makes the World Go Round. Another station was under WPON, but I could not identify it. Male announcer discussed 9-11 attack. (Majewski CT)

WTPR6925USB *1850-1904* The call letters stand for the slogan of Tire Pressure Radio." Said that listeners should turn off their radios now to avoid the grim fate of Harold in Paw Paw, WV who heard an earlier broadcast and did not turn off his radio. He got four flat tires. Others such as Al Fansome, John T. Arthur, and George Zeller were said to have suffered the same grim fate. Some rock oldies music to Twilight Zone noises at open and close. No address announced. (Zeller-OH)

Zex Chettel Alien0209-0212*, 6925USB. SIO=242. Sign-on with All Hail the Zex Chettel, message as; a communication to earthlings from the Zex Chettelbaliens. They pointed out that Obama had beaten Clinton & McCain, but the aliens will arrive at Obama's inauguration & take over the world. There were plenty of political references in the announcement. The aliens have demands of, Tina Fey and Sarah Palin in bikinis, saxophone reeds, Mr. Peabody and a wayback machine. At close said, "end of message." No address announced. (Zeller-OH).(Harold Frodge/FRW # 661; Greg Majewski/FRW #663; Bill FInn/FRW #664; Greg Majewski/FRW #665; Harold Frodge/FRW #666; Ed Insinger/FRW #667)

BelarusRadio Racja via Lithuania due to resume shortwavetransmissions in B-08, schedule 1430-1530 Russian, 1530-1730Belarussian on 3960. (Wolfgang Bueschel) Radio Racja confirmed on 3960 October 27 at 1625, full identificationat 1630 and jingle in Belarussian, on October 28 noted at 1444, signoff 1730. (Edwin Southwell)

Radio Station Belarus heard October 29 starting English programme at2100 on new 7135, news followed by light instrumental music, fair butmuffled audio and adjacent channel splatter, weaker 7360 in parallel,monitored to past 2130. (Brian Alexander, Cumbre DX)Similar here October 30, 7135 is listed as 250kw, 7360 75kw. 7390150kw is also listed as carrying the broadcast but was not monitored. (Mike Barralough/Contact Nov DX News/wordldxclub)

GreenlandKalaalit Nunaata Radioa via OZL Radio, Tasiilaq on 3815 USBheard from 2041 to 2114 abrupt sign off October 25. Best signal everheard from any receiver location, almost like a power increase, SINPO44544 with no utility interference typical of previous loggings. Womanannouncer, pop music, canned announcement 2100, interval signal andnews, interval signal 2110, instrumental music and off. (BruceChurchill using remote receiver in UK, Cumbre DX)Heard here October 26 with music 2053, much stronger than I have heardthem before and clear of any interference. (Mike Barralough/Contact Nov DX News/wordldxclub)

LaosSam Neua heard September 23 on 4412.6 at 2255 signing on withinstrumental interval signal. At 2257 I heard what sounded like theLaos national anthem, 2258 talk by woman, they started playing musicat 2300, but the signal seemed quite low. (Hans Johnson using remotereceiver in Philippines, Cumbre DX) (Mike Barralough/Contact Nov DX News/wordldxclub)

Providenciales DXpeditionOperators Roger/W7VV, Ralph/VE7XF and Brian/N9ADG will be active from the VP5JM Hamlet, located on Providenciales (NA-002) from November 19th to December 3rd, including a Multi-Single entry in the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 29-30th) as VP5W. Outside the contest they will be QRV 160-6m using VP5/homecall. QSL via home calls. QSL VP5W via W7TSQ. [NG3K] (NAQCC/ICPO Bulletin/ODXA)

Radio a key player in Bhutan's democracyRadio has been a key player in Bhutan's democratisation process, an ABUmeeting in Bali heard today.Jaganath Sharma of Bhutan's public broadcaster, BBS, said radio had played amajor role in the process that led to the country's first free elections inMarch this year.It had informed and educated the public in the run-up to the elections,including reporting from all 47 constituencies and holding a series of livedebates among the candidates.Mr Sharma was speaking in a discussion on radio's role in promoting goodgovernance, held as part of the annual meeting of the ABU Programme Committee."Radio stood its ground over time and with its advantageous reach, providedevery Bhutanese with much needed information before and after the historicelections," he said.Another speaker, Neil Curry of the BBC, said one of the greatest roles ofpublic service radio was to help bring about people's participation in the democratic process. It could also help build transparency andaccountability.Essential for achieving this was an adherence to journalistic values andeditorial guidelines, he said.Thursday 20 Nov 2008http://abu.org.my/public/dsp_page.cfm?articleid=4074&urlsectionid=715&specialsection=ART_FULL&pageid=247&PSID=2807----(Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India)

Radio Dabanga active on shortwaveThe new Dutch project for Dafur, Sudan was heard very good this morning (Nov 21) on 13800 and 7315 kHz at 04.30 UTC. The programming was announcements and local music - nothing else. They announced the address radiodabanga@yahoo.com in the program and my report to that e-mail address gave a reply and confirmation in a few hours from Leon Willems, Network Manager, Radio Darfur Network, Press Now. His email address: willems@pressnow.nl and the postal address is: Press Now, Witte Kruislaan 55, 1217 AM Hilversum, The Netherlands. Radio Dabanga is part of the Radio Darfur Network, a project of Press Now. On December 1st they will commence news and information programs. (Björn Fransson, the Island of Gotland, Sweden/HCDX)

Revamped Cumbre DX websiteThe new Cumbre DX web site is now in place and open for use. We're still working on adding content so things are a little bare at the moment. Please take a look and let ue know what you think of the site at: www.cumbredx.org/ We still have all the content from the old site so if there was something on the old site that was important please let us know. (Bob Arnold, Cumbre List Server/Manager)

Senegal and Guinea Bissau DXpeditionPeter, HA3AUI is once again heading south to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. From November 15, 2008 to about March 31, 2009 he will be signing 6W2SC and J5UAP. 6W: 160-10m, spiderbeam, verticals, dipoles, 500W. J5: 160-10m, spiderbeam, verticals, dipoles, 100W. For both QTHs mostly digital modes, some SSB, CW on request. QSL via HA3AUI direct or HA Bureau. [NG3K] (NAQCC/ICPO Bulletin/ODXA)

World DX Club web updatesI've been updating the web page containing links to International Radio Station webpages, and there are now links to over 40 stations linking direct each of the following pages (where such pages are available):Home pageFrequenciesProgrammesLive streamsArchive/podcastsThese are presented in an easy-to-use grid format at www.worlddxclub.org.uk/WDXC_links_stations.html. Take a look!I hope that you find this of use. (And any suggestions for additions are welcomed!) (Alan Roe www.worlddxclub.org.uk/)

2485 VL8K Katherine, NT 1318-1336 Nov 16. Female announcer with chat or interview with OM, followed by five minutes of ABC news at 1330. // to2325 (fair) and 2310 (poor) until 1335, when there was a program note for"105.7 FM" on VL8K which was not // to the other two; back in // again at1336 with "Sunday Night" program. 2485 the best of the lot with fair/goodsignal. (John Wilkins, CO)

Belgium

9970 RTBF Intlernational. Station heard in French talk and music with IDs at 1529 on19 Nov. Good signals, but suddenly creamed by R.F.Chosun tuning up on freq at 1533. (Al Muick, Kabul, AFG)

5900, Radio Bulgaria, 0040-0055 A male and female, in English language, broadcasts a number of schedules for different Shortwave broadcasters. Unfortunately, Radio Bulgaria had a jammer on this freq for awhile earlier, butby 0050 had almost disappeared from fading. ID at 0050 with address.At 0051 annoucements by a male followed by local music. Signal was fair on 5900.

(Chuck Bolland, FL November 22, 2008)

China

4940, Voice of Strait, 1500-1525, Nov 16 (Sun.). Time pips (5+1),briefly in Chinese, music fanfare, "This is the Voice of Strait,Fuzhou, China", into program in English (believe it was called "Focuson China"), presented by two Chinese announcers (Gary and an unnamed woman), news about China with music bridges between items (taxi driversprotest in Sanya to stop illegal operators; 4 students killed afterjumping from a fire at Shanghai Business School on Fri.; martial artsin Hong Kong; two pandas (Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan) will shortly be sent from the mainland to Taiwan, etc.), poor to fair, light QRM from assume AIR Guwahati (back to their normal frequency today, after being on 4900yesterday). This program may only be broadcast on Sunday. I need toc heck about Saturday. Back in 2005, I often heard Gary and Jacqueline(Ms. Diao) with their "Focus on China" program, heard back then on Sat.& Sun. from 1430-1500, but then they changed the schedule to a time Icould not hear them, so hearing them today with their new schedule wasvery nice. In the coming weeks their reception should improve. (Ron Howard-CA)

Clandestine

3985, Echo of Hope (presumed), 1446, Nov 13, in Korean, heavy jamming,// 6003 (light-moderate jamming and QRM from Voice of Russia on 6005)and 6348 (also jammed). Have never been able to hear CNR-2/CBR whichis listed as being on 3985 (Ron Howard, CA)

5910, Shiokaze/Sea Breeze, *1400-1430*, Nov 14, in English. "Today's News Flash", "Today's News on North Korean Issues", almost all theitems dealing with the possibility of Kim Jong Il being sick, heard with very heavy accent, the canned IDs are somewhat clearer, fair.Seems that the segment in French is permanently gone. Still hearingAnthem, followed by reciting from the Qur'an, in Arabic, afterShiokaze goes off the air. (Ron Howard, CA)

7165, Voice of Peace & Democracy, via Radio Ethiopia transmitters, 0358-0430*, Nov 21, tune-in to Horn of Africa music and announcements in Tigrinya. Talk at 0400. Local drums. Some Horn of Africa music but mostly continuous talk. Fair signal but occasional noise jammer making for poor reception. Fair to good signal on // 9560.13v-varing up to 9560.47 at times. Listed for Mon, Wed, Fri only. (Brian Alexander, PA)

9704 Radio Ethiopia heard at 1348 on 20 Nov with Amharic talk andAfrican music. Decent S3 signal until 1358 when a Chinese ether pollution specialist signed on at 9705 kHz. Only Chicom listed on this freq, is China's PBS Xinjiang but they are sked'ed to be off at this time. (Al Muick, Kabul, AFG)

4950, Radio Kashmir, Srinagar, *0118-0126, Nov 20. Tuned in at 0109 to hear an open carrier with test tone, tone went off justbefore the start of the AIR interval signal, into subcontinent music and singing. At 0125 briefly played interval signal again, lost after that, very weak, best inUSB. Hope this will improve over the next month so I can get somedetails for a reception report. Their local sunrise was coming up at0138. [Ron Howard, CA]

7115 AIR heard at 1730 on 20 Nov. in Maldivian with male talk and no interval signal or sign on formalities just carrier and then right into programming. The audio was so distorted, I could barely make out what was being said. The spectral display looked sick and there was a very bad buzz on the audio. Sounds like a filter cap in the main supply or in the modulator section isabout to blow its oats. This is one sick transmitter and someone in mastercontrol should be called on the carpet for allowing this to get on the air, and their engineer should be hung up by his/her thumbs! (Al Muick, Kabul, AFG)

4900, AIR Guwahati (presumed), 1428-1447, Nov 15, in thepast this was their alternate frequency. Subcontinent music andsinging, two men having a long conversation in vernacular, poor withQRM from Voice of Strait. Almost every day I check on VOS here andthis is the first time I have noted QRM. In the past I couldoccasionally hear AIR Guwahati mixing with VOS on 4940, but todayonly heard VOS in the clear on 4940. Overall was a good morning forAIR stations. Wanted to check for the AIR "News at nine" (1530 UTC) in English, but by then only heard VOS on 4900. This was also heardtoday by Dave Valko (Ron Howard, CA)

Indonesia

4750, RRI Makassar, 0953-1015 Noted a male in possible Qu'ransinging/praying until 0956, at that time a female comments briefly in Indonesian language. At 0959 Islamic type singing again by a male. This continues throughthe top of the hour. At 1014 a male comments. Signal was poor. (Chuck Bolland, FL November 18, 2008)

9680, RRI Jakarta, 1109-1130 Noted steady Pop music at tune in. There's two other stations on this freq besides Jakarata.. At 1113 music ceases breifly and signal is lost in the QRM. By 1119 there's so much interference on this frequency, I can't pull out Jakarta anymore from all of it. (Chuck Bolland, FL November 17, 2008)

9525.9, Voice of Indonesia, 1301-1320, Nov 15. Opening English ID announcements at 1301. English news at 1303. Weak but readable initially but very poor in noisy conditions by 1320.(Brian Alexander, PA)

Israel

9990 Kol Israel, heard 19 Nov. at 1501 with sign-on in FS and news. English recordings of Simon Peres. Loud signal, but not quite S5. If Irecall correctly, they were going to quit SW a few years back. (Al Muick, Kabul, AFG)

9995 Voice of Korea heard 19 Nov. at 1518 with Arabic program targeted to the Middle East. The signal was S3 at best. I was quite surprised at the lack of strength, especially as it is supposed to be beamed to the Middle East. *Al Muick, Kabul, AFG)

Northern Marianas

7445 Radio Free Asia, heard at 1500 on 20 Nov. English sign on by man/female announcers to newscast in Mandarin. Immediate and terminal jamming by China National Radio (not registered on frequency). Pounding sigs from both stations, but equally unusable. So what happened to Firedrake? The jugband got a month or so off? (Al Muick, Kabul, AFG)

Peru

4746.77, Radio Huanta Dos Mil, 0011-0030 Signal not that strong,but still readable with a male in Spanish comments. A utility station popson the freq periodically while CODAR is continuously squeezing the freqwith it's noise. At 0021 a female begins chatting. Signal was poor. (Chuck Bolland, FL November 22, 2008)

4835.5, Radio Maranon, 1017-1030 Initially noted Huaynos music for afew minutes. At 1021 a male in Spanish language comments and a few moments later a female joins in. At 1025 a canned ID followed by live comments with time check and station ID, followed by Huaynos music. Signal was between poor and fairduring the period. (Chuck Bolland, FL November 18, 2008)

4954.93, Radio Cultural Amauta (pres), 1037-1045. With a male in steady Spanish comments. Can't pull out the details since the audio of this station isn't very strong. However, heard the word "Amauta" at 1041 mentioned during the comments. Noise from the band overwhelms the a poor signal. (Chuck Bolland, FL November 18, 2008)

4955, Radio Cultural Amauta, (presumed)1037-1045 Noted a male in either Quechua or Aymara language comments. Every so often, "Peru" is mentioned.Signal was poor with fading. (Chuck Bolland, FL November 17, 2008)

6075, "Radio Rossii Kamchatka" via Petropavlovsk-Kamchatka, 0810-0900, Nov 20, before 0810 heard the news with usualIDs for "Radio Rossii" and "programa Radio Rossii", 0810 musicalfanfare and new ID: "Radio Rossii Kamchatka" (in the past I do notrecall them ever mentioning Rossii in their ID, was just "KamchatkaRadio"), into local programming, interview, BoH "This is Kamchatka",local news with many mentions of Kamchatka, several more "RadioRossii Kamchatka " IDs, played Russian songs, ToH pips (5+1), thenback to "programa Radio Rossii" IDs, fair. radio Rossii clearly off the air during same time period on 7200(Yakutsk) and 7320 (Magadan). Unable to check 5935 due to strong WWCR.[Ron Howard, CA)

Sri Lanka

5860, Radio Farda, 0031-0045, Noted a male in Persian Languagecomments until about 0035. At that time music presented. A tune from DeanMartin. At 0038, male in Persian again with live ID as, "Radio Farda", then into Persian music. Signal was good. (Chuck Bolland, FL November 22, 2008)

9680, Taiwan International, (tentative) 1109-1130, Noted a male in Mandarin language comments. At 1114 a female joins in briefly. The comments continue during the period while signal remains at a fair level. (Chuck Bolland, FL November 17, 2008)

Vietnam

6165, Voice of Vietnam (tentative) 1055-1059 With a pretty fair signal, noted Vietnamese type music until 1059. At that time however, Radio Nederlandt unes up on the frequency blocking everything. (Chuck Bolland,FL November 17, 2008

The Government of the People’s Republic of China has handed over to the Liberian Government newly renovated and expanded facilities of the Liberia Broadcasting System. Wednesday’s ceremony also marked the formal launch of the China/LBS Radio Project, under which the Chinese Government has provided a 10-thousand kilowatt [sic] FM transmitter to boost the station’s radio transmission throughout the country. A second transmitter has also been provided by the Chinese to relay English programs produced by China Radio International throughout Liberia. The transmission will also provide 3 hours of radio programming in Chinese.Speaking at the handover ceremony, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, lauded the growing partnership between the Governments of China and Liberia. The President acknowledged the constructive role China continues to play in all areas of government’s development under the country’s Poverty Reduction Strategy.China’s decision to expand the broadcast facilities of the country, an Executive Mansion release quotes the President as saying, could not have come at a better time, given the ever increasing need to adequately inform Liberians of the progress taking place in the country. The President also lauded the management of the Liberia Broadcasting system for its leadership role and partnership with Chinese experts in ensuring the completion of the project.The President reminded the management of the Liberia Broadcasting System to ensure that the station remains objective, neutral, and apolitical in the dissemination of information to the Liberia people, adding, ‘concentrate on development.’LBS Director Charles Snetter praised the President and the Governments of Liberia and China for supporting the development of the nation’s broadcasting sector. He spoke of the many challenges facing the station, but noted that LBS remains prepared to play a pivotal role in government’s recovery drive. Mr Snetter expressed the hope that government will continue to provide the necessary support to ensure that the station continues to play its role in the reconstruction of the country.The cost of the LBS-China Aided FM Radio Expansion Project is put at US $4 million. The station is now well placed to cover the entire country with relay stations in six counties, including Lofa, Bong, Grand Bassa, Grand Gedeh, Bomi, and Maryland. The facilities are also equipped with a microwave satellite link, to boost transmitted signals from the System’s headquarters in Monrovia to its outstations around the country.Under terms of an Understanding between China and Liberia, the Government of China will provide maintenance for the facilities for one year, after which Radio China International will contract a Chinese Firm to provide maintenance for an additional four years.(Source: Government of Liberia/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)Liberian Broadcasting System Online www.liberiabroadcastingsystem.com/(Warning: Home Page contains embedded audio www.liberiabroadcastingsystem.com/

Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency)[Xinhua: “Turkey’s State-Run Website Broadcasts in 30 Languages”]Ankara, 20 Nov - Turkey’s state-run television and radio network TRT on Thursday began broadcasting news in 30 different languages on its website. The languages that the website www.trt-world.com uses include languages such as English, Turkish, French, German, Chinese, Arabic, Albanian, Azeri, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Persian, Georgian, Spanish, Greek, the Urdu and Tatar.TRT set up its official website on May 1, 1999, broadcasting international, regional and national news in 11 languages to meet the expectations of its viewers in the digital age and provide the opportunities of technology to the public.Live radio and television programmes are available on the internet to enable global users to have the access to the TRT’s services. Furthermore, the website includes important services such as breaking news from Turkey and the world, latest developments in economy and finance sectors, all branches of sports, weather forecast, radio and television programmes and promotions.As Turkey’s first and only public broadcasting corporation, TRT was founded on May 1, 1964. It has nine radio channels and seven television channels.(Source: Xinhua news agency, Beijing, in English 20 Nov 08 via BBC Monitoring)(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Starting today, HCJB is transmitting in DRM on 15280 kHz at 1100-1300 UTC with 4000 Watts. The antenna is a rhombic, azimuth 35/225 degrees (to Europe and Australia) and the transmitter site is Pifo, Ecuador. The schedule is:Monday to Friday1100-1200 UTC Spanish (Music from Ecuador and Newscast).1200-1300 UTC Low-German and German.Saturday and Sunday1100-1130 UTC Spanish.1130-1300 UTC Low-German and German.(Source: HCJB via DRM Software Radio Forums)

Text of report by Somali independent Radio Gaalkacyo on 17 NovemberRadio Gaalkacyo [in Gaalkacyo, the provincial town of Mudug Region, central Somalia] has resumed operations following a brief closure by police in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, but the radio director, Hassan Muhammad Jama (Jid-hun) remains in custody.The decision to reopen the radio station was announced by Mudug regional commissioner Abdirizaq Darwish. He said the presidential decree issued recently was only instructing the arrest of the radio director and not the closure of the station.Mr Darwish said Radio Gaalkacyo can resume its operations and has issued an apology to the radio’s staff over the misunderstanding of the president’s decree.Somali Professional Journalists Association [SOPJA] based in Gaalkacyo has accused the Puntland regional administration of violating the freedom of the media and demanding that the media operate under an unsatisfactory system.However, local residents have expressed concern over the arrest of the Radio Gaalkacyo director.(Source: Radio Gaalkacyo, Gaalkacyo, in Somali 1015 gmt 17 Nov 08 via BBC MonitoringR. Netherlands Media Network weblog)

earlier post from Nov. 17Somalia: Radio Gaalkacyo closed downText report of report by Somali opposition Radio Voice of Mudug on 16 November The police of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland have closed down Radio Gaalkacyo, an independent radio station that operates in Gaalkacyo [HQ of Mudug Region], and arrested its director Hasan Muhammad Jama. Sources say the radio was closed down after airing programmes and reports about the forthcoming Puntland presidential elections and having special interviews with candidates. Reports also say Radio Gaalkacyo’s highlighting of the Puntland electoral commission could have led to the closure.The closure of Radio Gaalkacyo and the arrest of its director have coincided with the arrival of the Puntland president Mahmud Muse [Gen Adde] and his entourage in Gaalkacyo town. The president will be overnight there campaigning. The Puntland regional administration has been accused of pressurizing and violating media freedom in the region.(Source: Radio Voice of Mudug, in Somali 1330 gmt 16 Nov 08 via BBC Monitoring)Andy Sennitt adds: This station, formerly known as Radio Free Somalia, was for a time also on shortwave. Its website also appears to have been closed.(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit increased to high levels during 10 - 15 November.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels during 10 - 15 November. Activity increased to active levels during 16/0000 - 0600 UTC, then decreased to quiet levels for the rest of the period. ACE solar wind measurements indicated the 16 November active levels wereassociated with a coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS). The HSS began late on 15 November, reached a peak velocity of 528 km/sec at 16/1216 UTC, then gradually decreased during the rest of the period. Interplanetary magnetic field changes associated with the CH HSSincluded an increase in Bt (peak 14 nT at 15/2021 UTC) and intermittent periods of southward Bz (minimum -13 nT at 15/2225 UTC).

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity19 November - 15 December 2008

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels during 26 November - 03 December and 06 - 12 December.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet levels during 19 - 24 November. Activity is expected to increase to mostly unsettled levels during 25 - 26 November due to a recurrent CH HSS. Quiet levels are expected during 27 November - 03 December followed by an increase to unsettled to active levels during 04 - 06 December due to another recurrent CH HSS. Activity is expected to decrease to quiet levels during 07 - 15 December.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Armenia4810 Armenian National Radio. On a request from Bob Hill, I was going to check for their sign-on at 0200 as listed in the WRTH. When I rolled up on freq at 0130, they were already on in mid-programming. Got a solid ID immediately and then they went into a talk and music show with the semi-middle eastern-style music. They were definitely on already, so this bearswatching. I will continue to check on them and see if this was a special time on a Sunday or if they are now s/on at an earlier time. (Albert Muick-AFG/ HCDX Nov 16/WWDXC Top News/ BC DX # 887, wb, Germany)

French GuianaOnly a few transmisisons remaining from Montsinery, and only fewer audible in Europe. I heard 0200-0300 9840 Radio Taiwan Spanish very good 1130-1200 13640 RFI French ; just audible 1200-1230 15515 RFI, audible, but I even may not confirm the language Spanish 1700-2000 21685 RFI French; sign on 1657 but quick fade out after half an hour. Frequencies of Voice of Russia were announced via Montsinery: I just can confirm 7335 from 0400-0600 in English, disturbed by Vatican Radio. 7335 from 2-4 UTC VOR in Russian, not useful from South America, so I think other transmitter. [7335 2-6 UT, Ru, En] Other frq VOR from GUF to high for the season to receive in Germany (13630 0100-0300)(Udo Krueger-D, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 10/WWDXC Top News-BC DX #887 via wb, Germany)

MadagascarUpdate on World Christian Broadcasting -Madagascar Project. KNLS broadcasts from Alaska 20 hours per day in Chinese, Russian and English. Soon we will be broadcasting an additional 30-35 hours from our new station in Madagascar in at least three additional languages of Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese. With these additions, we will broadcast a total of as many as 50-55 hours daily in six of the eight most spoken languages on earth. The other two languages in the top eight are Hindi and Bengali. Both are Indian languages. Our plan is to use English in our broadcasts to that nation.The construction in Madagascar is on schedule. The guardhouse and staff home are built and painted. As of September 12, the floors of the transmitter building were being poured and the walls were expected to go up shortly. Jeff Jaworski of the KNLS staff in Alaska has joined Kevin and Nancy Chambers in Madagascar to help with the construction. Two members of the Malagasy staff visited the U.S. this past summer to learn to dismantle and assemble the new transmitters. This experience will enable them to assemble and install the transmitters when they arrive in Madagascar.Hurricane Ike has delayed the shipment of two 40-foot containers from Houston, although the containers were not damaged in the storm. (Nov. NASB)

Moldova[Pridnestrovye] Tiraspol. Official radio in Moldova's rebel region in dire situation - paper.The state-run radio Pridnestrovye in Moldova's breakaway Dniester region has cut its broadcasts from 23 to a bit more than three hours a day due to the lack of proper office space, the eponymous Dniester official daily reported on 5 November.The paper said that because of the last summer's floods the station's radio equipment and personnel were evacuated from its premises in central Tiraspol, but no new office place has been allocated to it so far. The radio channel's equipment is stored in a garage, and journalists work at a canteen of the breakaway region's information ministry.While information minister Vladimir Belyayev is still in the process of making a decision whether to repair the station's old premises or to find a new office for it, 100 out of the station's 146 staff members have been sent on an open-ended leave, with their wages cut by 30 per cent.Commenting on the radio station's critical situation, the Russkiy Proryv! weekly said on 5 November that the situation was aggravated by disagreements between the Dniester parliament and the information ministry. According to the law on the state-run media in the Dniester region, all official radio and TV channels should list parliament and the president as founders, but the ministry took upon itself all managerial functions over the Pridnestrovye radio channel, the weekly said.It recalled that in 2007, parliament initiated a probe into the ministry's activities linked to the radio station and unveiled numerous violations, including money-laundering. Members of the Dniester parliament tabled a proposal then that the radio station sign a separate agreement with president Igor Smirnov and radio Pridnestrovye become answerable to parliament, the paper said.(Russkiy Proryv!, Tiraspol, in Ru Nov 5 via BBC_M via RNW MN Andy Sennitt/WWDXC Top News, BC-DX887 via wb, Germany)

RomaniaOn November 1st the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation celebrated its 80th anniversary. To mark this ocassion a postal stamp devoted to this anniversary was released & the National Bank of Romania has launched an anniversary silver coin.

St. Helena11092.5USB. Radio St. Helena, 2227-2231 and 2246-2344*, Nov 15, reception very similar to that as reported by others. Reception began as fair, at 2229 must have changed antenna direction and became very faint, retuned to find fair reception. Enjoyed hearing PostmistressBeverly Francis talking about the stamps issued in 2008 and a preview of 2009 stamps, she tells how to order stamps. Dr. Cronk talking about the endemic flora of Saint Helena, I especial enjoyed the ballad by Uncle Earl called "Bony of Saint Helena" ("Bonaparte is away from his wars and his fighting. He has gone to a place he can take no delight in. He may sit there and dwell on the glories he's seen, oh, While alone he remains on the Isle of St. Helena ... "),Good number of IDs to 2330 "God Save the Queen." Non-stop easy-listening music to station sign-off. (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)